'Citizenship issue emerged after Godly government of Tibetans gave up'

DHARAMSHALA: Tibetan community is grappling with various issues since Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has resigned in March 2011 as political head of the Tibetan government in exile with its headquarters in this hill town. Indian citizenship is one of the biggest confusion these days prevailing in this community. As, there are strict guidelines to Tibetans applying for Indian passports that they have to give up their identity as Tibetan refugee and surrender their all certificates regarding this with authorities concerned. But there is no such condition if they are becoming Indian voters.

Tibetans had godly governments till the time these were headed by Dalai Lamas as they were their spiritual heads also. Tibetans use to have a blind faith in it. But trend seems to be shifting now. It was in August 2011 that for the first time a democratic leader Harvard Scholar Dr.

Lobsang Sangay

was appointed as head of the Tibetan government. Gradually various issues including political tussles and issue of citizenship emerged which has put many authorities in a fix now.

Tibetan administration has no control over this hence it declared citizenship issue as a matter of personal choice. “The decision to apply for Indian or any other country’s citizenship is a personal choice. If you are eligible, you can apply. The Tibetan administration has no right nor does it intend to interfere in a person’s fundamental rights,” said Sangay in a recent statement in Tibetan parliament.

Officials at the passport office

Shimla

said that about 200 Tibetans have applied for Indian passports. While thousands of Tibetans have become voters, as according to guidelines by court Tibetans born in India between 1950 to 1987 can apply for voting cards. They have to prove their birth only. However, Indian government has imposed a condition that Tibetans have to surrender their Registration Certificates as Tibetans and give up all benefits as refugees to get Indian passports. But there is no such condition for them to become Indian voters.

There are about 60 Tibetans who have surrendered their identities with the police for Indian citizenship. "47 are males while 13 are females in these 60 Tibetan applicants for Indian passports" told Shiv Kumar, a top cop here detailing the status of Tibetan seeking Indian passports. But there are about 300 Tibetan voters here. There are about 1400 hundred across

Himachal Pradesh

. Majority of them are from Bir area of Kangra district.

Union ministry has issued directions to the authorities dealing with the passport issues. But district administrations receiving applications of Tibetans to register them as voters have no such instructions. “We don’t have any instructions regarding surrendering the Tibetan identity certificates to register themselves as voters” said a district official requesting anonymity.

“Tibetans think that they can make voter’s card to get rid of difficulties they face in maintaining their residential permit paper called registration certificates” said Tenzin Tsundue, a prominent Tibetan activist and writer in

Mcleodganj

who has not registered himself as voter.

Lobsang Wangyal

another Tibetan activist and a registered voter said for the first time that Tibetans are going to vote in assembly polls. “It's almost 60 years since Tibetans came to India. I am for Tibetans in India getting rights. I think it's time to be inclusive rather than exclusive. We should be part of the community on which we live, while still ensuring that our own identity and mission is kept intact” he said.